Rice runs to win over Hurricane

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa's game plan was to run the ball and keep Rice from doing the same. It didn't work out that way.<br><br>A week after breaking its 17-game losing streak with a win over

Saturday, November 2nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa's game plan was to run the ball and keep Rice from doing the same. It didn't work out that way.

A week after breaking its 17-game losing streak with a win over UTEP, the Golden Hurricane had a season-low 47 yards on the ground while Rice's option attack rolled up 427 in a 33-18 victory.

Reserve quarterback Greg Henderson ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard scamper, in his first career start and fullback Robbie Beck had 150 yards and a score.

It was the most rushing yards for Rice since amassing 498 against Tulsa in 2001 and it was the fewest for Tulsa since gaining 34 against Boise State on Oct. 13, 2001.

"Once we got our confidence, our offense just started to click," Henderson said. "It all just came along and we killed them with the running game."

Tulsa had limited UTEP to 116 yards rushing last week, but reverted to form against Rice. In the end, it was a mismatch of one of the nations top rushing teams against one of the weakest rushing defenses as Rice improved to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.

"This offense, it's old-fashioned country," said Tulsa coach Keith Burns. "In my mind, there's no doubt why they are among the top rushing teams in the country. If you don't stop the fullback, that's all you're going to see and that was obvious today."

Tulsa, 1-4 and 1-8, trailed 20-0 at halftime and lost starting quarterback Tyler Gooch at the end of the half with a mild concussion. Reserve James Killian threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Romby Bryant that cut the lead to 23-6 and had a chance to get the Hurricane back in the game moments later.

But two potential touchdown passes were dropped and a 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked. Rice then rolled 86 yards in nine plays to score on a 14-yard scamper by Beck with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter.

The Owls dominated the first half, rolling up 267 yards while limiting Tulsa to 53. TU had the first scoring opportunity, but squandered an 81-yard punt return by Sean Yoder to the Rice 6-yard line.

Two plays later, Killian's pass was deflected at the line and intercepted by safety Antwan Shell.
"Early in the game, our defense performed extremely well," Rice coach Ken Hatfield said. "Our defense let us hang in there and win this ballgame."

After a scoreless first quarter, Rice broke the ice early in the second quarter on a 3-yard run by Henderson that capped an 81-yard drive. Henderson struck again minutes later on the 63-yard option run.
Ed Bailey capped another long drive with a 1-yard plunge.

Killian completed 9 of 21 passes for 91 yards and added a 7-yard touchdown run with 3:55 to play. A blocked punt by Jerome Janet set up a 1-yard touchdown by Eric Richardson with 1:33 to play.

Tulsa had its first extra point blocked and failed on two-point conversions on both successive attempts. Rice also scored on field goals of 21 and 24 yards by Brennan Landry.